North Laurel has won 15 straight games at home, while Estill County has won 15 straight on the road, but those streaks won't matter much on Monday. The Jaguars will welcome the Engineers at 6:30 p.m. North Laurel is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.4 runs per game this season.
On Saturday, North Laurel beat Mercer County 10-5.
Emma Carl was a major factor while hitting and pitching. She looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only one hit over four innings pitched. She has been consistent recently: she hasn't given up more than one earned run in four consecutive appearances. She was also big at the plate, getting on base in three of her four plate appearances with two stolen bases and two runs.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Katie Sams, who went 2-for-3 with one home run, three runs, and one triple. Another player making a difference was Saige McClure, who went 1-for-4 with four RBI, one run, and one double.
Meanwhile, Estill County was able to grind out a solid win over Fleming County on Friday, taking the game 8-5. That's two games straight that the Engineers have won by exactly three runs.
Bella Rice spent all seven innings on the mound, and it's clear why: she surrendered three earned (and two unearned) runs on six hits and racked up seven Ks.
At the plate, Callee Snowden was excellent, going 3-for-4 with one run, one double, and one RBI. The team also got some help courtesy of Sydney Riddell, who went 2-for-3 with one stolen base, one run, and one double.
Estill County was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .414. They are a perfect 9-0 when they post a batting average of .375 or better.
North Laurel has been performing incredibly well recently as they've won 15 of their last 16 matches. That somehow still isn't as good as their 25-1-1 record this season. The victories came thanks in part to their hitting performance across that stretch, as they averaged 9.8 runs over those games. As for Estill County, their win bumped their record up to 15-8.
Monday's contest will be a test for both teams' pitchers. North Laurel hasn't had any issues making contact this season, having earned a batting average of .393. However, it's not like Estill County struggles in that department as they've averaged .349. With both teams so capable at the plate, fans should be ready for an impressive hitting performance. Check back here after the action for a full breakdown and analysis of the contest.
